Unboxing: Moses Aluminium Foil Kit

[jumptheshark]

Have just switched from an aluminum mast to a carbon and compared the two subjectively. The length and chord of my Zeeko aluminum mast and Lift carbon are almost exactly the same. The Carbon mast is a tiny bit thinner profile. The aluminum is much stiffer with respect to torsion. I chalked it up to the new foil being a wave foil from a company that doesn't make race gear, but then this morning at the launch with a crew of racers they were checking out my new foil and had a chance to compare to their up to date race foils, both Levitaz and Taaroa. Was pretty surprised to see that both the race masts were not as stiff as my Lift. We put that down to the fact the race foils are 110cm and have a much smaller chord down by the fuse end, where my mast is only 82cm with a larger average chord. Still kind of a surprise. Those were modern race foils, i.e. not lacking in performance!

Bottom line is that at least some,( I would imagine most ) alloy masts are plenty stiff enough for the type of riding for which they're intended. There are moments when riding upright that I have felt my Lift mast do a slight wobble. Nothing major and I have read others post about it with their carbon masts, but with my prior experience being only on aluminum, I had no idea what they were talking about. Now I know. It's not really an issue for the type of riding I do, but I've definitely felt it.

Torsion was the only noticeable difference subjectively, and I was surprised how easy it was to appreciate the difference just torquing the fuse with the boards upside down on the ground.

[Flyboy]

Have just switched from an aluminum mast to a carbon and compared the two subjectively. The length and chord of my Zeeko aluminum mast and Lift carbon are almost exactly the same. The Carbon mast is a tiny bit thinner profile. The aluminum is much stiffer with respect to torsion. I chalked it up to the new foil being a wave foil from a company that doesn't make race gear, but then this morning at the launch with a crew of racers they were checking out my new foil and had a chance to compare to their up to date race foils, both Levitaz and Taaroa. Was pretty surprised to see that both the race masts were not as stiff as my Lift. We put that down to the fact the race foils are 110cm and have a much smaller chord down by the fuse end, where my mast is only 82cm with a larger average chord. Still kind of a surprise. Those were modern race foils, i.e. not lacking in performance!

Bottom line is that at least some,( I would imagine most ) alloy masts are plenty stiff enough for the type of riding for which they're intended. There are moments when riding upright that I have felt my Lift mast do a slight wobble. Nothing major and I have read others post about it with their carbon masts, but with my prior experience being only on aluminum, I had no idea what they were talking about. Now I know. It's not really an issue for the type of riding I do, but I've definitely felt it.

Torsion was the only noticeable difference subjectively, and I was surprised how easy it was to appreciate the difference just torquing the fuse with the boards upside down on the ground.

I had the same experience. My carbon LP mast is 100cm & has a smaller chord & is thinner down by the fuselage - that's where the carbon strut can be "twisted" a little. Not sure if the flexing of the foil is actually a negative though.

[Flyboy]

Any update Gunnar? Anyone else able to do a comparison between the Onda 71/91 & the Alu 75 Onda?

[eric_ts]

Any news or announcement about a loner alu mast from moses ?

[dave1986]

I haven't heard any news, but surely Moses would be losing market opportunities not to offer an aluminium mast in various sizes!?

[Windigo1]

I think they do it on purpose they don't want to hurt the sales of their high end carbon foil so they restrict people to 75cm on the Alu version. After foiling for a few years I find that 90cm is perfect for me. So I bought the 633 wing made my own fuselage mounted it to one of my 90cm mast and it's been a blast. Too bad for Moses I guess the slingshot mast adapter will keep selling for a while.